U.S. patent application number 09/845670 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-13 for automated system for controlling the parameters involved in the preparation of an immersion bath.
Invention is credited to Da Silva, Leonardo Senna.
Application Number | 20020071535 09/845670 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 3946106 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020071535 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Da Silva, Leonardo Senna |
June 13, 2002 |
Automated system for controlling the parameters involved in the
preparation of an immersion bath
Abstract
It comprises a central processing unit (CPU), to which a control
panel (PC) is attached, said central processing unit (CPU) being
connected to the input of a power control circuit (CCP) that
selectively controls the opening and closing of a set of valves of
hydraulic systems for the passage of hot water (Q), cold water (F),
sinking and draining (Ed) and of odoriferous essence (E); said
central processing unit (CPU), besides being controlled by the
control panel (PC), allows the remote control by means of data
receiving and transmitting interfaces (IT, IRF, IES) which are
directly and individually connected to the relevant central
processing unit (CPU); a voice synthesizing circuit (CSV) that
interconnects the central processing unit (CPU) with the data
receiving and transmitting interfaces (IT) being provided; the
central processing unit (CPU) being connected to an
analog-to-digital converting circuit (CCAD), which in turn receives
the signals from the sensors (S) physically disposed in strategic
places on the immersion bathtub (B); the whole set being connected
to a power source (FA).
Inventors: |
Da Silva, Leonardo Senna;
(Rua Colombia, BR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KATTEN MUCHIN ZAVIS ROSENMAN
575 MADISON AVENUE
NEW YORK
NY
10022-2585
US
|
Family ID: |
3946106 |
Appl. No.: |
09/845670 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
379/102.01 ;
379/102.02; 379/102.05 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 12/2803 20130101;
H04M 11/007 20130101; H04L 12/2818 20130101; H04L 12/2827 20130101;
E03C 1/055 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
379/102.01 ;
379/102.02; 379/102.05 |
International
Class: |
H04M 011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 8, 2000 |
BR |
PI 0006494-7 |
Claims
1. "AN AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING THE PARAMETERS INVOLVED IN
THE PREPARATION OF AN IMMERSION Bath", characterized by comprising
a central processing unit (CPU) to which a control panel (PC) is
peripherically connected, said central processing unit (CPU) being
connected to the input of a power control circuit (CCP) that
selectively controls the opening and closing of a set of valves of
hydraulic systems for the passage of hot water (Q), cold water (F),
sinking and draining (Ed) and of odoriferous essence (E); said
central processing unit (CPU), besides being controlled by the
control panel (PC), allows the remote control by means of data
receiving and transmitting interfaces (IT, IRF, IES) which are
directly and individually connected to the relevant central
processing unit (CPU); a voice synthesizing circuit (CSV) that
interconnects the central processing unit (CPU) with the data
receiving and transmitting interfaces (IT) being provided; the
central processing unit (CPU) being connected to an
analog-to-digital converting circuit (CCAD), which in turn receives
the signals from the sensors (S) physically disposed in strategic
places on the immersion bathtub (B); the whole set being connected
to a power source (FA).
2. The automated system for controlling the parameters involved in
the preparation of an immersion bath, according to claim 1,
characterized in that the control panel (PC) is provided with a
display (D), an alphanumeric keyboard (Te), a power button (F), at
least two memory buttons (M1, M2 . . . , Mn), and a loud speaker
(A).
3. The automated system for controlling the parameters involved in
the preparation of an immersion bath, according to claim 1,
characterized in that of the power control circuit (CCP) is
electrically connected to the solenoid valves that selectively
control the opening and closing of hydraulic systems for the
passage of hot water (Q), cold water (F), odoriferous essence (E)
and sinking and draining (Ed).
4. The automated system for controlling the parameters involved in
the preparation of an immersion bath, according to claim 1,
characterized in that the data receiving and transmitting interface
is of the telephone type interface (IT), for pulse and/or tone
lines.
5. The automated system for controlling the parameters involved in
the preparation of an immersion bath, according to claim 1,
characterized in that the data receiving and transmitting interface
is of the serial electric type interface (IES) to be coupled to an
automation exchange.
6. The automated system for controlling the parameters involved in
the preparation of an immersion bath, according to claim 1,
characterized in that the data receiving and transmitting interface
is of the radio frequency type interface (IRF) to receive data
through radio frequency (RF) signaling via remote control.
7. The automated system for controlling the parameters involved in
the preparation of an immersion bath, according to claim 1,
characterized in that the sensors (S) are of the level and
temperature type physically disposed in strategic places on the
immersion bathtub (B).
8. The automated system for controlling the parameters involved in
the preparation of an immersion bath, according to claim 1,
characterized in that the remote actuation requests an
identification and access password for activating the commands for
preparing the bath, when is from a telephone call, Internet or
Intranet.
9. The automated system for controlling the parameters involved in
the preparation of an immersion bath, according to any of claims 1
or 8, characterized in that the set of memories (M1, M2 . . . , Mn)
allows for the previous storage of data and parameters to be used
in the preparation of the bath.
10. The automated system for controlling the parameters involved in
the preparation of an immersion bath, according to claim 1,
characterized in that the data receiving and transmitting interface
is of the telephone Interface type through dialed line in order to
provide access through the residence telephone system.
11. The automated system for controlling the parameters involved in
the preparation of an immersion bath, according to claim 1,
characterized in that it is prepared to optionally receive an
interface to be connected to the serial communication line (IES)
thus allowing all the jacuzzi whirlpool commands and the status
thereof to be controlled through the Internet and/or Intranet.
Description
[0001] The present specification is related to an automated system
for controlling the parameters involved in the preparation of an
immersion bath such as, swimming pools, bathtubs and the like and,
more specifically, to an intelligent preprogrammed and selective
control system for actuating all the mechanisms involved in the
preparation of an immersion bath, such as water level, temperature,
addition of odoriferous essences and/or bath salts and the time the
mass of the contained water is maintained, temperature, as well as
the lighting thereof.
[0002] As is thoroughly known, presently the water mass and the
temperature of the latter in immersion type bathtubs, jacuzzi
whirlpools, SPA type bathtubs, Japanese whirlpools, among others,
are manually controlled by turning handles that actuate check
valves that allow for the opening and/or closing of the public
water flow towards the bathtub, the operation of the water
recirculating pump in jacuzzi whirlpool being actuated by a on-off
button disposed in an easy-to-access place inside the area of the
bathtub box; further, in the case of swimming pools, feeding and
water recirculating pumps are provided for cleaning and filtering
the mass of water retained in the swimming pool, said pumps being
actuated by on-off buttons disposed in an easy-to-access place out
of the swimming pool deck area.
[0003] Both in immersion bathtubs and jacuzzi whirlpools, the hot
and cold water flows that get into the bathtub are actuated by the
relevant handles that allow the selective and metered passage of
the amount of cold and hot water necessary to dose, according to
the user's will, the mass of water inside the bathtub. The hot
water is previously heated by electric, solar and/or gas heaters,
among others, where the heating power is directly related with the
water outflow therethrough.
[0004] In spite of being widely used, both immersion bathtubs and
jacuzzi whirlpools suffer drawbacks among which we can mention: the
non-memorization of the selective graduation of the temperature of
the water to be used in the bath; the non-maintenance of the mass
of water contained in the bathtub, in accordance with the physical
size, evaporation and/or number of people and the taste of a
certain user, among others.
[0005] Specifically, in the case of jacuzzi whirlpools, one of the
drawbacks is the fact that it is operated only when the user is in
the bathroom, thus needing to wait before it is full of water or
getting into same before it is filled up with water.
[0006] Another drawback of these jacuzzi whirlpools conventionally
known is the fact that the filling level of the bathtub is manually
controlled by the user himself/herself, who must get into the
bathtub in advance so that his/her own body mass is compounded with
the mass of water poured into the bathtub, thus defining the water
level of the occupied bathtub. This prevents the bathtub to be used
by more than one person at the same time.
[0007] Another drawback of these jacuzzi whirlpools conventionally
known is the fact of that the bath temperature is generally
determined by the mixture of hot and cold water flows that are
poured into the bathtub, said mixing being manually carried when
the user turns mixing handles, the temperature gradient being
defined by the touch sensitivity of the user who must touch the
bath water to determine the desired temperature every time he/she
wishes to have a bath. This can bring about burnings.
[0008] Another drawback of these jacuzzi whirlpools conventionally
known is the fact that the mixing of the odoriferous essence and
bath salts that compose the immersion solution must also be
manually added randomly doses by the user himself/herself, thus
compelling him/her to define or identify an ideal amount of
odoriferous essence and/or bath salt that satisfies its pleasure or
preference.
[0009] Another drawback of these jacuzzi whirlpools conventionally
known is the fact that all the procedures for regulating the
temperature and the water level and adding odoriferous essences
and/or bath salts should be carried out manually and empirically
for each bath and each bathtub user, that is, for each user the
regulation is personal and cannot measured in advance, thus
compelling each user to regulate in some way the parameters of
his/her bath, even if the latter had already been initially
prepared by his/her home servant or housekeeper.
[0010] Another drawback of these jacuzzi whirlpools conventionally
known is the fact that as the bath goes on and the immersion water
gets cooler, if the user wants to remain immersed, he/she needs to
add hot water and release an equivalent amount of mixed water in
such a way that the bath water level does not exceed the value
initially defined. This task happens to be fully manual, thus
making it difficult to maintain the temperature and saturation
level of the water/essence/salts mixture at the values initially
defined.
[0011] It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention
to provide an automated system for controlling the parameters
involved in the preparation of an immersion bath that allows the
memorization of the selective graduation of the temperature of the
water to be used in the bath; as well as the memorization of the
water mass level to be kept inside the bathtub in accordance with
the physical size and taste of a certain user, among others.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
automated system for controlling the parameters involved in the
preparation of an immersion bath, more specifically in jacuzzi
whirlpools and bathtubs in general, that can be remotely actuated,
the user not needing to be present in the bathroom, thus assuring
that the user will only get into the bathtub when the bath is
effectively ready.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
automated system for controlling the parameters involved in the
preparation of an immersion bath that allows for the previous
definition of the bathtub filling level according to the user, the
latter not needing to get into the bathtub before it is filled
up.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
automated system for controlling the parameters involved in the
preparation of an immersion bath that allows for the memorization
and repetition of a bath temperature value for each user, said
mixing being automatically carried out after the user preselects
said temperature.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
automated system for controlling the parameters involved in the
preparation of an immersion bath that allows for the controlled
accurate and predefined mixture of odoriferous essences and/or bath
salts that compose the immersion solution.
[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
automated system for controlling the parameters involved in the
preparation of an immersion bath that regulates automatically and
permanently the temperature of the water as the bath goes on, thus
keeping same constant while the user is immersed, without the need
to change the mixture of the immersion water. Thus, water and
odoriferous essence can be saved.
[0017] At last, the object of the present invention is to provide
an automated system for controlling the parameters involved in the
preparation of an immersion bath where all the procedures for
regulating the temperature regulation and water level and adding
the odoriferous essences and/or bath salts are carried out
automatically and customized, that is, each user is provided with a
regulation previously defined that is started whenever
requested.
[0018] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention are attained with an automated system for controlling the
parameters involved in the preparation of an immersion bath that
comprises a central processing unit, to which a control panel
provided with display and alphanumeric keyboard is peripherically
connected; said central processing unit being connected to the
input of a power control circuit that selectively actuates the
opening and closing of a set of valves of hydraulic systems for the
passage of hot water, cold water and odoriferous essence; sinker
valve and product valve for the bathtub to be self-cleaned, said
central processing unit, besides being actuated by the control
panel, being remotely controllable by data receiving and
transmitting interfaces (pulse and/or tone telephone signal, and/or
electric signal, radio frequency signal, and/or others) by being
directly and individually connected to said central processing
unit; a voice synthesizing circuit being provided that
interconnects the central processing unit with the data receiving
and transmitting interfaces through pulse and/or tone telephone
signal, said central processing unit being connected to an
analog-to-digital converting circuit, which in turn receives the
signals from (level, temperature, and others) sensors physically
disposed in strategic places on the immersion bathtub; the whole
set being connected to a power source.
[0019] This automated system for controlling the parameters
involved in the preparation of an immersion bath also makes return
calls to the telephone assigned by the user informing through the
voice when the bath is ready.
[0020] Said system provides, by programming in the CPU, a maximum
time for the bath, and after this time has elapsed the water of the
bathtub will get through the sinker and the bathtub is switched off
until a new command is set. This time counter is reset every time
the user depresses any command on the control panel.
[0021] Next, the present invention will be described with reference
to the attached drawings, wherein:
[0022] FIG. 1 represents a schematic perspective view of a bathroom
provided with a jacuzzi whirlpool provided with the automated
system for controlling the parameters involved in the preparation
of an immersion bath; and
[0023] FIG. 2 represents a block diagram of the automated system
for controlling the parameters involved in the preparation of an
immersion bath.
[0024] In accordance with these illustrations, the automated system
for controlling the parameters involved in the preparation of an
immersion bath object of the present invention is comprised of a
central processing unit CPU, to which a control panel PC provided
with a display D, an alphanumeric keyboard Te, and a loud speaker,
is peripherically connected, see FIG. 1. This central processing
unit CPU, is connected to the input of a power control circuit CCP,
which is electrically connected to the solenoid valves that
selectively actuate the opening and closing of hydraulic systems
for passing hot water Q, cold water F, odoriferous essence A and
the draining sinker Ed.
[0025] The central processing unit CPU, besides being actuated by
the control panel PC, allows for the remote control of the system,
through data receiving and transmitting interfaces of the telephone
interface type IT, for pulse and/or tone lines; of the serial
electric interface type IES to be coupled to an automation
exchange; or of the radio frequency interface type IRF to
communicate with the remote control.
[0026] The IRF serves only for the short distance remote control
(inside the house), this remote control being a two-way control,
and thus the bathtub, once actuated by the RF remote control, will
inform the remote control when the bath is ready.
[0027] A voice synthesizing circuit CSV is provided that
interconnects the central processing unit CPU with the control
panel PC and with the data receiving and transmitting interfaces
through pulse and/or tone telephone signal IT; further being able
to be actuated by the residential automation system via Internet,
via the serial interface RS 232-C, or Intranet.
[0028] The central processing unit CPU is connected to a circuit
for converting analog signals into CCAD digital signals, which in
turn receives the signals from the (level, temperature, and others)
sensors S physically disposed in strategic places on the immersion
bathtub B.
[0029] A power source FA connected to the central processing unit
CPU feeds all the relevant circuits in the system.
[0030] Thus, the automated system allows, besides the control panel
PC, the control of the parameters for preparing a bath to be
carried out through IT, IRF and IES interfaces which are
selectively actuated and remotely controlled, thus determining all
the pertinent functions for preparing a bath.
[0031] Both the remote control and the "in situ" control of the
system allow a corresponding user to activate the commands for
preparing the bath. The system is provided with a set of memories
M1, M2 . . . , Mn that allow for the previous storage of data and
parameters to be used in the preparation of the bath. When the user
calls said memory M1, M2 . . . Mn, after having entered his/her
access password, if the access was made remotely via telephone, or,
if the access was made "in situ", the user can control the
preparation of his/her bath within the temperature, mixture
concentration and water level and lighting parameters preset by the
user himself/herself.
[0032] In the event a memory password is not entered, the system is
activated, thus preparing a new bath, with the parameters (water
temperature, level of water contained in the bathtub, concentration
of the odoriferous essence and/or bath salts poured into the bath)
used for the preparation of the latest bath.
[0033] Thus, the user can actuate the system from anywhere, by
means of fixed and/or mobile telephone line, by means of electric
automation exchange or through the control panel of the bathtub
itself, or through remote control via radio frequency signaling,
such actuation being interpreted by each one of the respective
interfaces IT, IES, IRF.
[0034] An operational description of how to activate the automated
system for controlling the parameters involved in the preparation
of an immersion bath will be presented below.
[0035] The lighting power required for lighting the bathtub also
can be memorized in memories M1, M2 . . . , Mn.
[0036] To start the operation, when the system is actuated it
initially identifies the actuation source, which can be the
keyboard of the control panel PC itself; or a remote control IES or
RF, or a telephone call IT.
[0037] In the event the actuation source is the control panel PC,
through the keyboard Te, the system checks whether the power button
F was depressed or one of the memory buttons M1, M2 . . . , Mn
provided in panel PC was depressed.
[0038] In the event the power button F is depressed, the system
starts operating.
[0039] In the event one of the memory buttons M1, M2 . . . Mn is
depressed, the later provides the temperature, the mass of water,
the odoriferous essence, and the lighting power of the bathtub
which were stored previously, and the system starts operating.
[0040] In the event the control source is a remote control, for
example, of an automation exchange IES, the system starts
operating.
[0041] In the event the control source is a telephone call IT, the
system requests a password number. If the password is not valid,
the connection is disabled and the system turns back to its waiting
mode. In the event the password is valid, a temperature value is
requested, and the system is able to correct same if it is not
valid, thus turning back to its waiting mode. In the event the
temperature is valid, the user is asked if he/she wants a telephone
call confirmation return, and the system starts operating if it is
not valid. In the event the confirmation return is requested, a
telephone for the return call is requested, and then the system
starts operating.
[0042] With the system operating, the system initially detects the
presence of water in the bathtub, and, if there is any water in the
bathtub for some reason, the water draining valve is opened, which
valve is kept open until the water contained in the bathtub is
drained out, and then this draining valve is closed again and the
cold and hot water supply valves are opened.
[0043] In the event there is no water in the bathtub, the system
checks whether the bathtub draining valve is closed and opens the
cold and hot water valves.
[0044] Water level and temperature sensors are provided in the
bathtub B to allow for the detention of the bath water level and
temperature. The system detects the level and temperature of the
water contained in bathtub B and compares same with the level and
temperature values previously established, balancing the outflows
of cold water and hot water until the desired values of the water
level and temperature are reached.
[0045] When the bath water is balanced with respect to the level
and temperature, the system starts dispensing the odoriferous
essence through a command, thus prompting the bath solution for
use.
[0046] The same temperature sensors monitor continuously the bath
water temperature, and inform a device about the fall of
temperature of the water plus odoriferous essence contained in the
bathtub, thus activating an intermediate heater that promotes the
recirculation of the water until the temperature of said water gets
back to the values preset, when the intermediate heater is switched
off.
[0047] Other functions can be directly controlled in the control
panel PC and/or remotely and timely controlled when the user is
inside bathtub B. One of such functions is the actuation of the
jets of the jacuzzi whirlpool; another function that can be
automatically actuated consists of the turning on the lights of
bathtub B itself. Thus, it is possible to also control the time
that bathtub B will remain activated.
[0048] The control panel PC is provided with a digital display D,
colored and provided with light, to indicate the temperature, and
the loud speaker informs the user when the temperature inside
bathtub B has reached the desired value, which is set by the user,
through voice synthesizer CSV.
[0049] The system defined above allows the users to also control
the time the pumps, filters and heat exchangers will remain
activated.
[0050] Although a preferred constructive concept has been described
and illustrated, it should be understood that design changes are
possible and attainable without departing from the scope of the
present invention.
* * * * *